Legumes and Soy Reduce Blood Pressure

A new study, including researchers from King s College London and published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, suggests that a diet rich in legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas) and soy can reduce the risk of high blood pressure by almost a third. Optimal daily intakes were identified as approximately 170g of legumes and 60-80g of soy foods. The research, which analyzed 12 existing studies, found that these foods are high in potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber, all known to have blood pressure-lowering effects. Both British Heart Foundation and BSV Association have endorsed the findings, emphasizing their alignment with existing dietary recommendations in the United Kingdom and their potential to prevent cardiovascular diseases and strokes.